Temperature History Indicator

Abstract

A temperature history indicator equipped with an oxygen detecting agent main body which changes in color in response to the oxygen concentration and a slightly gas-permeable packaging film for sealing and coating said oxygen detecting agent main body. The packaging film is a laminated film of two or more kinds of films including any of polymers selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyamide (NY) and polyethylene (PE). A temperature history indicator set equipped with the temperature history indicator and color sample showing the relationship between a temperature and a color tone change with time is also provided. A method of controlling a temperature history of goods by using the above-mentioned indicator is also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a temperature history indicator, more particularly to a temperature history indicator capable of controlling the quality of fresh foods and the like freshly, conveniently and securely at a predetermined temperature in the range of −10° C. to +10° C. which is a refrigeration range of foods, drugs and various machinery and appliances, and a temperature history indicator set using the temperature history indicator as well as a method of controlling a temperature history of goods using them. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In recent years, in the fields of drugs and medical supplies, printing inks and electricity, machinery and appliances in addition to the field of foods, some goods are transported, preserved (stored) and processed in a frozen or refrigerated state or at a chilled temperature (that is, a temperature of more than 0° C. to approximately +5° C.) or further ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior arts. An object of the present invention is to provide a temperature history indicator suitable for controlling the temperature history of individual goods refrigerated and preserved under various temperature conditions. For example, for foods (for example, raw animal meats, fresh seafood and processed vegetables) preferably preserved at a refrigeration temperature range of approximately −10° C. to +10° C, this temperature history indicator is capable of securely and easily detecting the temperature history of whether the goods were subjected to an unsuitable high temperature condition leading to a quality deterioration of the goods, for example, at +15° C., or further elevated temperature at +20° C. during the preservation and storage of the goods, and is capable of easily controlling the goods at a low cost and is excellent in safety and the like.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a temperature history indicator set which is capable of easily and securely controlling the temperature history by using the above-mentioned temperature history indicator.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easy and secure method of controlling a temperature history in the temperature range of preferably −10° C. to +10° C. by using the above-mentioned temperature history indicator.

[0023] According to the present invention, there is provided a temperature history indicator suitable for controlling temperature history of individual goods refrigerated and preserved under various temperature conditions at a low cost. For example, for foods suitably preserved at a temperature of approximately −10° C. to +10° C., this temperature history indicator is capable of visually, securely and easily detecting the temperature history of whether the food was subjected to a temperature condition unsuitable for the quality control during the preservation and storage of the food, for example, in the range of from 0° C. (elevated by 15° C.) to approximately +15° C. or further more, and is capable of easily controlling goods and is excellent in safety and the like.

[0024] Further, a temperature history can be easily and securely controlled by the temperature history indicator set according to the present invention.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided an easy and secure method of controlling the temperature history of various goods in the temperature range of approximately −10° C. to +10° C. using the above-mentioned temperature history indicator at a low cost. By the method of controlling a temperature history using such a temperature history indicator, for example in the case of controlling the temperature history of foods, such as raw animal meats, fresh seafood and processed vegetables over a relatively short period of time, such as approximately a few days to a week, a remarkable color change with time or in response to a temperature change is exhibited in the temperature history indicator and a changed color of the temperature history indicator does not return to an original color even when the temperature of foods returns to the original temperature, so that the temperature history indicator of the present invention can be suitably applied to the temperature history control in the fields of drugs and medical supplies, printing inks and electricity, machinery and appliances as in the case of fresh meats.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, there are such problems that the liquid leakage may be likely to occur depending on the handling manner of the indicators; the leaked liquid adheres to foods and the like for which the low temperature history has to be controlled and is likely to contaminate them; and the low temperature history indicators are inferior in visibility for the temperature history in the range of −20° C. to 0° C.

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